Standards for Landscape Irrigation Systems

8/3/2019 Standards for Landscape Irrigation Systems

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction.......................................................................................................... page1General

1. Scope of Work ....................................................................... page 2

2. Quality Assurance ................................................................. page 23. Submittals .............................................................................. page 34. Site Conditions ...................................................................... page 35. Owner or Representative ....................................................... page 46. Regulations ............................................................................ page 47. Alternate Materials ................................................................. page 4

Design1. Sprinklers ............................................................................... page 52. Pipe ....................................................................................... page 5

3. Zoning ................................................................................... page 64. Controls ................................................................................. page 65. Pressure Control .................................................................... page 66. Winterizing ............................................................................. page 77. Low Volume / Micro Irrigation ................................................ page 78. Control Wire ........................................................................... page 7

Materials1. Sprinklers ............................................................................... page 82. Control Valves ....................................................................... page 83. Isolation Valves ..................................................................... page 8

4. Controllers ............................................................................. page 85. Wire ....................................................................................... page 96. Backflow Prevention Devices ................................................ page 97. Pipe Polyethylene ............................................................... page 98. Pipe - Poly Vinyl Chloride ...................................................... page 99. Fittings ................................................................................. page 1010. Cement and Primer ........................................................... page 1011. Valve Boxes ....................................................................... page 1012. Sleeving ............................................................................. page 1013. Hydraulic Controls ............................................................. page 10

Installation1. Excavation and Backfill ........................................................ page 112. Pipe ..................................................................................... page 113. Valves and Valve Boxes ...................................................... page 124. Sprinklers ............................................................................. page 125. Wire ..................................................................................... page 136. Backflow Prevention ............................................................ page 137. Controller ............................................................................. page 138. Turf Valves / Quick Coupling Valves ................................... page 149. Sleeving ............................................................................... page 14


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Site Maintenance ......................................................................... page 15

InspectionandTesting1. Inspection ............................................................................ page 162. Testing ................................................................................. page 163. Deficiencies ......................................................................... page 16

InstallationDetailDrawingsFigure 1 Shrub Spray on Riser ................................................ page 17Figure 2 Turf Rotary Head or Pop Up Spray Head page 18Figure 3 Quick Coupler Valve .................................................. page 19Figure 4 Globe Valve - Standard Installation ........................... page 20Figure 5 Controller Wall Mount ............................................. page 21Figure 6 Residential Point of Connection ................................. page 22Figure 7 As-Built Plans Minimum Recommendations .............. page 23


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Irrigation Industry Association of British Columbia 1Standards for Landscape Irrigation Systems

INTRODUCTIONThe following Standards for Landscape Irrigation Systems replace the previous publication

of March 1997. They have been developed by the Irrigation Industry Association of British

Columbia to reflect the current minimum Standards for the industry and to provide guidance

to its members as a benchmark for their performance. The principles embodied in these

Standards apply to all landscape irrigation systems but the special circumstances of some

owners or installations may require the development of more customized specifications

related to the project.

The use of these Standards is intended to encourage efficient and responsible water

management and result in irrigation systems that are economical, practical, and

sustainable.

Owners, designers, and installers of these systems are responsible for the use of a

precious and finite resource to maintain healthy and functional landscapes. Accepted

industry practice reflects these goals.

The Irrigation Industry Association of British Columbia accepts no liability arising from the

use of these Standards in contractual relationships between parties to an irrigation project.


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3.Submittals

(a) A suitably scaled as built drawing shall be provided. All components of theirrigation system shall be shown as installed, with clear measurements from anidentifiable reference point to the location of the controller and its circuit breaker,master valve, zone control valves, main water connection, blow out connection,pump and its electrical connections, and any other similar features. Please seeFigure 7 for details.

(b) Provide a manual containing operating and maintenance instructions for allcomponents of the system including but not limited to a zone map or list of zonesand the areas they cover.

(c) Provide clear instructions for operating the irrigation system " in season, showingthe relative timing differences between zones of different precipitation rates, anda schedule of run times suggested for various weather conditions. Division of thesystem into Hydrozones, or areas with different water requirements, whetherbased on gardens/grass, sun exposure, drainage patterns, or distinct areas isencouraged.

(d) Provide any special tools as provided by the manufacturer for day to dayservicing of the irrigation equipment installed.

(e) Provide a base irrigation schedule indicating when and how much to irrigate, byzone, for the system installed. Indicate a source of local evapotranspiration datawith clear instructions on how to alter the schedule reflecting changing ET valuesappropriately.

4.SiteConditions

(a) Verify and mark the location of all on site utilities required by the irrigationsystem.

(b) Verify and mark the location of all buried cables, conduits, pipes, etc., prior to anytrenching.

(c) Adjust the design as necessary, together with the owner's representative, to suitexisting site conditions and grades before proceeding with the work.

(d) Protect from damage as necessary, existing landscape features, plant materialstructures, this work in progress, and the work of other trades.

(e) Ensure that sequencing of this work is carried out in coordination with the work ofother trades and that sleeves are installed when appropriate.


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5.OwnerorRepresentative

(a) Prior to commencement of any involvement with an irrigation project, identify theperson or persons properly authorized to make project decisions.

6.Regulations

(a) Obtain all permits and licenses applicable to the work to be done.

(b) Ensure that there is compliance with the relevant codes and regulations both inthe design and during the conduct of the work involved in the project.

7.AlternateMaterials

(a) The formal approval of the owner's representative is required prior to the use ofmaterials that are different from those shown in the design.

(b) Alternate materials must match the original materials in performance, flow,pressure loss, and other important characteristics so as not to compromise theintent of the design.

(c) The materials must all remain compatible. When changing from one product toanother the flow from all the sprinklers must be recalculated to confirm pipe is stillsized at 5 ft/sec.

(d) The alternate materials proposed must be applied according to theirmanufacturers recommendations.


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DESIGNAn irrigation system must apply a consistent, even, measurable amount of water to thelandscape over a period of time. It is necessary that the system design consider water costand conservation, long term durability and maintenance cost, safety issues, aestheticissues, and site specific requirements. The relative importance of these considerations willvary from project to project and require the attention of a qualified and experienceddesigner. An IIABC Certified Designer of the appropriate discipline is recommended. The

design will incorporate the following:

1.Sprinklers

(a) The maximum spacing shall be equal to the radius of throw (head to head) withappropriate allowance for wind if applicable.

(b) The selection of pop-up or riser style sprinklers must consider safety,maintenance, risk of vandalism, and appearance on the site.

(c) Pop-up or riser height must consider the related plant material, its growth

potential, interfering landscape features, and arrive at a solution which providesoptimum coverage for as long as possible.

(d) All sprinklers must be suitably adjustable and located so as to keep the waterwithin the landscaped area and minimize overthrow.

(e) Sprinklers with built in check valves must be used when low head drainage isapparent to eliminate wasted water and reduce erosion.

(f) Sports fields and public parks shall be equipped with sprinklers with rubbercovers in turf areas.

(g) Pressure compensating devices (heads, screens, or valves) are recommended toincrease efficiency and water conservation.

2.Pipe

(a) The velocity of flow in piping must not exceed 5 feet per second.

(b) Pipe routing must take site elevation changes into consideration to minimize lowhead drainage.

(c) Selection of the strength and / or flexibility of the pipe material and its installationcriteria must consider site specific requirements such as frost, traffic, soil depth,soil composition, soil quality, etc.

(d) Pipe sizing and routing must include pressure loss calculations to ensure that therequired pressure will be delivered under all circumstances and that pressurevariation within the lateral is at a minimum.


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3.Zoning

(a) All sprinklers grouped into a zone must have the same precipitation rates.Rotating style heads should take into account arcs of coverage to ensurematched precipitation.

(b) The potential for low head drainage must be minimized for each zone.

(c) The areas of the landscape that have different water requirements (differenthydrozones) must be identified and a determination made as to the significanceof these differences and whether they require separate zoning. The type of plantmaterial and its location on site (sun exposure and natural drainage), and varyingsoil and slope conditions must be considered.

(d) The pressure variation within each zone from the first to the last head must notexceed 15%.

4.Controls

(a) Controllers must be C.S.A. / C.U.L. approved, suitable for their mounting location,and sufficiently flexible to allow for and encourage optimum operation of thedesigned system in all circumstances.

(b) Moisture sensors or other "rain off devices are a desirable enhancement of anyirrigation system and are recommended for effective water management.

(c) Valves must meet the pressure and flow requirements of the zone beingcontrolled.

(d) ET Based controllers or Smart Controller products with significant water

savings are encouraged.

(e) Indoor rated controllers should only be mounted indoors. Indoor rated controllerscan only be mounted outdoors in suitable weather-tight enclosures.

5.PressureControl

(a) The design must include suitable regulation of the pressure throughout theirrigation system utilizing such devices as pressure compensating valves, heads,

and screens.

(b) The pressure at every head must be within the range recommended by themanufacturer of the head/nozzle combination being used.


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6.Winterizing

(a) The system design must make the water connection and all the systemcomponents safe from winter freezing damage.

(b) A suitable and convenient blow out point and connection is the most desirable

method of purging the system of water using a suitably sized air compressor.

(c) Automatic drain valves are not recommended.

7.LowVolume/MicroIrrigation

(a) Any low volume irrigation included in a system must be separately zoned andvalved independently from rotors or spray heads.

(b) Filtration and pressure control as recommended by the manufacturer of the lowvolume devices must be provided together with suitable controller capabilities.

(c) Connect (loop) ends of the individual laterals to improve system uniformity andlimit contamination if drip tubing is damaged.

(d) Use air-vacuum relief valves to minimize injection of dirt or other contaminantsinto the emitters.

(e) Wherever possible use drip irrigation to increase irrigation efficiency.

8.ControlWire

(a) Control wire must be sized to the length of its run using the recommendations ofthe manufacturer of the zone control valves being wired.

(b) A spare wire should be available at each valve manifold.


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MATERIALS1.Sprinklers

(a) All sprinklers shall be in new condition with the size, manufacturer, and featuresas shown in the design or approved equal (see GENERAL 7.)

(b) The relevant manufacturers recommendations must be followed in the selectionand application of each sprinkler being used.

2.ControlValves

(a) All control valves shall be in new condition with the size, manufacturer, andfeatures as shown in the design or approved equal (see GENERAL 7.)

(b) The relevant manufacturers recommendations must be followed in the selection

and application of each control valve being used.

3.IsolationValves

(a) All isolation valves shall be in new condition with the size, manufacturer, andfeatures as shown in the design or approved equal (see GENERAL 7.)

(b) Valves 1/2" through 2 1/2" may be ball or gate valves while those larger shall beoperated by butterfly valves.

4.Controllers

(a) All controllers shall be in new condition with the size, manufacturer, and featuresas shown in the design or approved equal (see GENERAL 7.)

(b) All controllers shall be C.S.A. / C.U.L. approved for use in the mounting locationselected.


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5.Wire

(a) All power and control wiring and its associated components shall conform to localcodes being used.

(b) All wire shall be sized and specified as shown in the design.

(c) Line voltage wire shall be C.S.A. approved either NMWU or TWU. Line voltage

wire should be installed by a certified electrician with the requisite qualifications.

(d) Approved multi-conductor control wire may be used if specifically manufacturedfor use as direct burial irrigation wire.

(e) White wire shall only and always be used as the common wire.

(f) All connectors shall be approved for water tight application and assembledaccording to the manufacturers recommendations.

(g) No wire smaller than 18 gage shall be used.

6.BackflowPreventionDevices

(a) All backflow prevention devices shall be in new condition with the size,manufacturer, and features as shown in the design or approved equal (seeGENERAL 7.)

(b) All devices used must be approved for the application and must meet or exceedthe local plumbing requirements.

7.Pipe - Polyethylene

(a) All pipe shall be in new condition, extruded from virgin materials and continuouslyand permanently marked with the manufacturers name, material, size, andpressure rating.

(b) All pipe must be Series rated for a pressure equal to or greater than themaximum water pressure to be encountered in the irrigation system.

8.Pipe - PolyVinylChloride

(a) All pipe shall be in new condition, extruded from virgin materials and continuouslyand permanently marked with the manufacturers name, material, size, andpressure rating

(b) A minimum of Series / Class 315 pipe shall be used in 1/2", Series 200 in 3/4"and 1", and Series 160 in 11/4" and larger.


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9.Fittings

(a) Fittings for P.V.C. pipe shall be Schedule 40 P.V.C. suitable for solvent weldingor threaded connections.

(b) Fittings for Polyethylene pipe may be compression style or insert fittings withstrength at least equal to the pipe used complete with all stainless steel clamps.

(c) Nipples shall be Schedule 80.

(d) Threaded connections of P.V.C. to metal shall have male threads on the P.V.C.and female threads on the metal.

(e) Polyethylene barb fittings and marlex street ells are acceptable for use with inch swing pipe or triple swing joint assemblies.

10.CementandPrimer

(a) The cement and primer combination shall be as recommended by themanufacturer to be suitable for the materials and application, when used asdirected, and meet local codes.

11.ValveBoxes

(a) All valve boxes shall be in new condition and of the size and type as shown in thedesign or approved equal (see GENERAL 7.)

12.Sleeving

(a) Sleeving material shall be Series 160 P.V.C. unless the circumstances of itsinstallation require a stronger material to ensure its survival during ongoingconstruction activity by other trades.

(b) Sleeving shall be sized to be twice the size of the pipe being protected if lateralline and three times the size if main line.

13.HydraulicControls

(a) Hydraulic control lines and the associated water filtration equipment shall be asrecommended by the manufacturer of the control devices being used.


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INSTALLATIONPrior to beginning the installation, the contractor should verify the site specific designinformation, including water pressure and flow, the area for each hydrozone, grading andslopes, utility locations, and any other important features. The proposed system should belaid out and sprinkler locations flagged. The relative lack of flexibility in pipe, valve, andparticularly head placement will require coordination with landscape planting locations tominimize conflict, damage, and avoid compromising the irrigation design.

1.ExcavationandBackfill

(a) The following coverage to finished grade is required over the piping:

Residential and Commercial Landscape 8 to 12 inches (200 to 300 mm)

Public Parks and Sports Fields 12 to 16 inches (300 to 400 mm)

Sleeving under Roadways 18 to 24 inches (450 to 600 mm)

Sleeving in Landscape Depth of Pipe

Piping on Slab If required depth is not available,pipe is to be on top of the filter

fabric above the drain rock orvoiding material.

(b) All trenches shall be as straight as possible with a level, uniform slope to thebottom.

(c) Backfill trenches in 4" (200 mm) layers, tamping firmly to ensure that thecompaction of the trench is equal to the surrounding undisturbed areas.

(d) Backfill material shall be free of rocks and / or other unsuitable materials whichcould damage the pipe or create unusual settlement problems.

(e) Backfill material around the swing joints and under the heads shall be of asuitable type so as to allow appropriate movement under impact.

(f) Trenches shall be at least 12 inches (300 mm) away from paving stone or otherhard surfaces to avoid undermining such surface or its edge retention.

2.Pipe

(a) Visually inspect each pipe prior to installation, removing any dimpled or otherwisedamaged sections.

(b) Lay the pipe in a straight line between fittings, placing it on firm soil at all points inthe trench.

(c) Multiple pipes may occupy the same trench provided that a minimum of 2 inches(50 mm) horizontal clearance can be maintained and the pipes are all on thesame plane.


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(d) All solvent welding is to be done in careful compliance with the manufacturersrecommendations with particular attention to cleanliness, air temperature,moisture, and curing time. Excess cement must be removed from all joints.

(e) All polyethylene insert fittings in 1 1/2" and 2" sizes shall be double clamped.

(f) Thrust blocking is required for gasketed pipe 3" and larger.

(g) As the pipe layout in the design is diagrammatic, care must be taken during theinstallation to size the pipe to keep the velocity of flow at 5 feet per second.

3.ValvesandValveBoxes

(a) All valve boxes shall be installed flush with finished grade and located in shrubareas where possible.

(b) All valves shall be installed vertically and centered in the box so as to be easilyaccessible for servicing.

(c) All valve boxes shall be installed with adequate clearance above the pipe and ona firm base so as not to contact the pipe with settlement or upon beingdepressed.

(d) Valve boxes shall be supported and of a type of material such as to be able tosupport the weight of expected traffic.

(e) Minimum valve box size recommendations are:910 - One 1 1/2" or Two 1 " valves1419 - Two 1 1/2" or Three 1" valves1220 - Three 1 1/2" or Four 1" valves

4.Sprinklers

(a) All pop-up sprinklers shall be connected to the pipe by an adjustable swing jointassembly that is sized to meet the flow requirements of the sprinkler.

(b) A swing joint assembly shall be either a P.V.C. triple swing joint consisting of aSchedule 40 street elbow (MIPT x FIPT), a Schedule 80 nipple, and twoSchedule 40 street elbows at the head end, or a polyethylene swing pipe with abarb by pipe thread elbow at each end; the end that connects to the base of thesprinkler must have an extra threaded street elbow.

(c) All sprinklers with an inlet size larger than 3/4" shall use a P.V.C. triple swing jointassembly or a pre-assembled swing joint only.

(d) Swing joint assemblies for valve-in-head sprinklers shall have Acme threads andan O ring sealing mechanism.


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(e) The bottom street elbow of the swing joint assembly shall be connected to anoutlet on the side of the lateral line pipe and the nipple shall be of sufficient lengthto be installed at an approximate 45 degree angle when the sprinkler is mountedat finished grade. A similar alignment is required if swing pipe is used, with aminimum length of polyethylene tubing of 12".

(f) All pop-up sprinklers shall be installed flush and level with the finished grade andnot higher than any adjoining hard surface from which there must be at least a 2"separation to allow for edging.

(g) All stationary shrub risers shall be installed with two P.V.C. street elbowsconnected to the side of the lateral line pipe and a Schedule 80 nipple that is longenough to suit the plant material.

(h) All piping must be thoroughly flushed prior to the installation of sprinklers andnozzles. Large zones will require progressive flushing.

5.Wire

(a) All wiring shall be installed to meet local electrical codes.

(b) All wiring shall be protected by being bundled and taped at 10 foot intervals andinstalled beneath the irrigation piping or in appropriately sized conduit if runindependently.

(c) All wire splices must be contained in a valve box.

(d) Sufficient extra wire shall be left in each valve box such that the splice may belifted 12" above grade. Extra wire to be neatly coiled.

(e) White wire shall only be used as the common wire and other colors used shall beconsistent from valve to controller.

6.BackflowPrevention

(a) Backflow prevention assemblies shall be installed according to the local plumbingcode and the Cross Connection Control Manual adopted by the B.C.W.W.A.

(b) All cross connection control devices installed must be sized to accommodate theflow requirements present, and successfully tested after installation by an activecertified Cross Connection Control Specialist.


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7.Controller

(a) The controller shall be firmly mounted at approximate eye level with all wiringdone in the controller or an approved junction box.

(b) Zones shall be wired in a logical sequence and unless they can be clearly

described, a scaled site plan shall be mounted next to the controller with eachzone clearly outlined.

(c) The installation of any rain / moisture sensing equipment shall be noted on thecontroller and the location of the controllers circuit breaker indicated unlessobvious.

8.TurfValves/QuickCouplingValves

(a) All turf valves / quick coupling valves installed in the landscape shall be mountedon a suitably sized swing joint, either solidly supported by clamping to an angle

iron stake or the last two fittings attached to the quick coupling valve shall be a 90degree galvanized/brass elbow and a galvanized/brass nipple.

9.Sleeving

(a) All sleeving in soil shall be installed and backfilled with the same considerationsfor protection of the material as if it were water pipe. Compaction shall be to thesame standard as the adjoining undisturbed soil and the sleeves shall project atleast 12" on either side of the hard surface being crossed.

(b) Sleeving being installed across roads or driveways for later use shall have thenecessary pipe installed at the same time with each end elbowing to at least 36"above grade.

(c) When it is not possible to install sleeving, the water pipe shall be either Schedule40 P.V.C. or Series 160 Polyethylene.


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SITE MAINTENANCE1) The job site shall be kept in a neat, clean, and orderly condition at all times during

the installation process.

2) All scrap and excess materials are to be regularly removed from the site and notburied in trenches.

3) Trenching, laying pipe, and backfilling shall be continuous so that the amount ofopen trench at the end of each work day is minimized. Any open trench or otherexcavations shall be barricaded and marked with high visibility flagging tape.


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INSPECTION AND TESTING1.Inspection

(a) Upon completion of the irrigation system installation, all pressure regulation, arcs,distances of throw, sprinkler locations and height, controller zones, etc., must be

adjusted so as to optimize the operation of the system and make it ready forinspection and testing

(b) Inspection will be carried out by the owner's representative to ensure that thework has been done in a neat and workmanlike fashion, and meets the intent ofthe installation standards previously agreed upon, in all important aspects.

2.Testing

(a) The test will require that the system be operated sequentially with the controller,in the presence of the owner's representative.

(b) The purpose of the test is to ensure that the system adequately covers thelandscape to be irrigated and meets the design criteria previously agreed upon.

(c) There are no circumstances under which the system main line should besubjected to the application of compressed air as a static pressure test. This is ahazardous and unnecessary procedure. The water meter will detect leakage ofany significance and if absent and leaking is suspected, hydrostatic pressuretesting can be considered.

3.Deficiencies

(a) Any deficiencies noted during the inspection and testing will be rectified promptlyand signed off by the owner's representative.

(b) Any disputes arising from the use or implementation of these standards may bereferred to the IIABC for arbitration or recommendations.


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INSTALLATIONDETAILDRAWINGSThe following drawings are provided for reference only. Individual project requirements maydictate differences in installation procedure that are not identified here.


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Figure3QuickCouplerValve


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Figure5Controller WallMount


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Irrigation Industry Association of BC

IRRIGATION PLANS / AS - BUILT PLANSMinimum Recommendation

Every owner of an irrigation system will need to locate the equipment buried on his/her property at some pointin time. This is why an As-built Plan of the irrigation system is recommended.

It is a contractors responsibility to supply an as built plan to the owner in the form of a reproducible Scaledplot plan. It is also recommended that the contractor retain a copy for his/her records.

As-built plans will indicate any changes from the original design of the proposed irrigation system.

Items included on a typical as-built plan are:

1. Scale of the drawing, complete with legend of equipment.

2. Date of the installation/ As-Built Plan

3. Minimum system requirements (e.g. 60 USGPM @ 55 PSI)

4. Location of the main connection referenced to a permanent structure. Information included shall be:o The size and type of the pipe the system is connected to;o Size and type of backflow prevention device;o Location and type of winterization point.

5. Locations of all sprinklers used on the property, including the make and manufacturer of all sprinklertypes used. The plan shall indicate what type is used in what location (usually done in the Legend)

6. Locations of all underground irrigation pipe including type and size of pipe (e.g. 1 PVC; Poly,PEX, 2 Copper, etc)

7. Location of all valves and valve Boxes, including make, model and size; as well as an indication of theoperation (e.g. Manual operation or Automatic.)

8. Location of all irrigation controllers, including make and model.

9. Location of all buried wire and connection points.

10. Location and function of other irrigation equipment used on the project (e.g. Fertilizer injectors, RainShut-off Devices, Booster pumps, etc)

11. Location of all underground sleeves including the size and type of pipe.

12.Name and contact phone number and address of the installing contractor.


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IRRIGATION INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONOF

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Documents

Standards for Landscape Irrigation Systems